Tuesday, May 11, 2010

CT Man Receives Slap on the Wrist

MIDDLETOWN — A city man was arrested May 1 after accidentally shooting out his living room window while attempting to fix his rifle, police said.

Lemont West, 32, of 217 Hendley St., called police at 9:15 a.m. to report the accidental discharge of his weapon, according to the arrest report.

He told police he was getting his gun ready for a trip to the rifle range and accidentally fired a round through the living room window.

Lemont’s parents were in the kitchen and his 10-year-old son was upstairs when the gun went off, police said.

Lemont told police he was doing some work on the rifle because it was malfunctioning

Officers canvased the area for the .223 caliber round that went through the double-pane bay window, but could not locate it, according to the arrest report.

Lemont was charged with unlawful discharge of a firearm and second-degree reckless endangerment.

He was released from custody after posting a $5,000 bond and scheduled to appear in Middletown Superior Court May 10.

Lemont’s weapons were turned over to local police for safekeeping while the case is pending.

Of course, after his couple of minor convictions he'll get his rifle back and go right back to business as usual, which makes him too reckless and irresponsible to own guns safely.

Why do the pro-gun folks defend guys like this who give them all a bad name? Is there any excuse for this kind of incident. No, there isn't, unless you want to have the greatest possible leeway in exercising your gun rights and treat the 4 Rules as a take it or leave it proposition.